A civil society group, National Patriots Forum has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of Ahmed Rufai Abubakar as the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, an appointment that was confirmed recently. The Forum argued that the fact that Abubakar was/is married to a foreigner nullifies his appointment.

The Group in a statement signed by Comrade Adeale Benjamin and Mustapha S Tarajo, the Chairman and Secretary of the Forum, respectively; picked holes in the defence put up by the Presidency to justify the appointment of Abubakar as it maintains that the newly appointed Spy Chief remains a citizen of Chad by birth, and until he renounces his citizenship, he is not fit to hold a position such as the DG of NIA.

It was gathered that the Presidency in a statement signed by presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina accepted that Abubakar stayed with his parents, despite Abubakar earlier accepted to have stayed with his Uncle in Chad when he was growing up. It was later confirmed that Abubakar was leaving with his parent all through his Primary Education in Chad before he seeked further education in Bayero University, Kano.

The Forum said, “It was not in dispute that Abubakar Rufai Ahmed was born and bred in Chad. It is also on record that he schooled there and later sought further education at the Bayero University, Kano in Nigeria. His educational pursuit in Nigeria has nothing to do with his nationality as Nigeria has always been a haven of scholarship for Chadians and Nigerien. Chad remains Abubakar’s first love, just like his mentor Babagana Kingibe, who still lives in Chad even today. It is only logical to state that Abubakar Rufai Ahmed is a Chadian citizen by birth, going by international conventions covering citizenship. Unless he renounces that, he remains a citizen of Chad.”

The statement also queried, “Supposing Nigerians accept the latest story about his parents, the questions to ask are: ‘who his parents are and what took them to Chad if they are Nigerians?’ Also, whether the parents ever came back to Nigeria or still live in Chad. And if they are dead, whether they died in Chad or in Nigeria.”

“No amount of denials can change the story of his sordid marital background either as we state without fear of contradiction that Ahmed Rufai married a Morrocan lady, named Mariam with whom he had a female child. Whether they are divorced or still together, the fact remains that he is technically involved with a foreigner, which is inappropriate for any NIA staff.”

Even more, the statement added, “The controversy surrounding the NIA DG’s service and his unceremonious retirement are being swept under the carpet for obvious reasons. To explain in clear terms with proofs of Abubakar’s record of service viz-a-viz relevant papers of his retirement from service; or let any of Abubakar’s mates who sat for the exams with him come forward and tell the world if Abubakar did pass and did not retire willy-nilly following his poor outing in two previous exams.”

The Forum added that “what the Presidential spokesman failed to explain to Nigerians is why the President flouted the recommendations of a committee he set up to reorganise the NIA by picking his personal aide instead of picking the Director General from amongst the core of serving Directors of the agency, as recommended.”